The Austin Companyhttp://austin.co.uk
Consultants, Designers, Engineers, ConstructorsThu, 15 Mar 2018 09:14:15 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.4.2Stevenage Bioscience Catalysthttp://austin.co.uk/sectors/laboratories/2083/stevenage-bioscience-catalyst/
Thu, 15 Mar 2018 09:14:15 +0000http://austin.co.uk/?p=2083Austin were commissioned by MRCT and SBC to undertake the concept design and then a preliminary study for the fit-out of the ground floor. This provided additional accommodation for MRCT to relocate staff from another location, and for SBC, a series of lettable laboratory and office spaces based around the “Hotel Concept” for leasing out as short to mid-term research space.

Following this Austin were commissioned to undertake the detail design for incorporating MRCT’s and SBC’s overall requirements into the Accelerator Building.

Austin worked closely with MRCT and SBC to develop the detailed design for all activities and the equipment.

‘We are delighted with our new facility. Austin’s state of the art design has created a dynamic open plan environment which increases interdisciplinary interactions and allows us t? better harness the problem solving abilities of our employees. The new laboratories and offices enable teams to work more efficiently to push forward potential treatments to patients.’ Dr Justin Bryans, Director, Drug Discovery at MRC Technology.

]]>Ipsenhttp://austin.co.uk/sectors/laboratories/2093/ipsen/
Mon, 19 Feb 2018 09:14:44 +0000http://austin.co.uk/?p=2093Ipsen is a global specialty-driven pharmaceutical group selling in excess of 20 drug types in more than 115 countries with an R&D expenditure of around €193 million.
Ipsen’s ambition is to be a leader in specialty healthcare solutions for targeted debilitating diseases. This strategy called for the consolidation of their research in the heart of leading biotechnological and life sciences hubs.
Ipsen had undertaken a preliminary study which sought to define broad proposals for accommodating their Oxford research group, at Milton Park. They then appointed Austin to undertake a critique of these proposals, to develop them into a viable detailed design and to deliver this 2700m² prestigious science facility.

`Austin’s team have delivered a superb new laboratory and office space in which Ipsen’s UK R&D team are now located. From the design process and through the construction Phase, Austin have listened to the needs of the Ipsen team and understood the vision for the new site. The laboratory requirements were challenging, and yet the construction phase has been completed within eight months, on time to accept the personnel transferring from other Ipsen UK sites.’ – John Chaddock, VP Neurology Site Head, Ipsen Bioinnovation.

]]>Austin Present The Case for a Biophilic Designhttp://austin.co.uk/news/2062/austin-present-the-case-for-a-biophilic-design/
Mon, 05 Jun 2017 08:24:53 +0000http://austin.co.uk/?p=2062Following application of some of the principles of Biophilic Design into Edinburgh University’s new Innovation Centre and Campus Hub at Easter Bush, Austin were invited to present to an audience of Edinburgh University’s Project Managers and Estate Managers on the benefits, challenges and hurdles of incorporating Biophilic Design into research facilities.

What is Biophillic Design?

There is increasing evidence identifying of the benefit of people being connected with nature in the context of the working environment. A workplace that is devoid of nature can have a negative effect on health and well-being.

The incorporation of Biophilic design provides a focus to creating a workplace that responds to people. The aim of Biophilic design is to continue the individual’s connection with nature in the work place. By reflecting the natural environment within the workplace we can enable improved well-being, increased creativity and productivity as well as motivation and happiness. Views of nature, lighting, colour and textures are all reported to have an impact.

In the research and manufacturing environment we have a challenge in creating highly functional and regulated work spaces that also respond to the well-being of the user.

What are the opportunities and applications of designing natural environmental responses into technical building solutions. Can we incorporate lighting that uses circadian rhythms? Can we incorporate natural images, features, colours and textures? These are the challenges for complex highly regulated facilities. We look at challenging the norms and exploring the potential.

]]>Another L in propertyhttp://austin.co.uk/news/2058/another-l-in-property/
Tue, 23 May 2017 08:58:03 +0000http://austin.co.uk/?p=2058Austin presented the principles and criteria to consider during the design of science parks to help developers consider future building design.
]]>Beam me up Scotty – Follow-uphttp://austin.co.uk/news/2053/beam-me-up-scotty-follow-up/
Mon, 13 Mar 2017 12:32:21 +0000http://austin.co.uk/?p=2053The Austin Company were invited to speak at a recent workshop hosted by The European Construction Institute in partnership with COMIT in central London. With the theme of ‘Innovation and Technology in Construction’ Austin presented on Supply Chain BIM Experiences based on a recently completed project for a pharmaceutical client. With 80 plus member’s attending, the presentation was well received as a practical perspective on how new technology can assist in a logistically challenging and highly serviced construction build.
]]>BIM Retrofit, Our Journey and Lessons Learnthttp://austin.co.uk/news/2021/bim-retrofit-our-journey-and-lessons-learnt/
Fri, 24 Feb 2017 13:41:45 +0000http://austin.co.uk/?p=2021In 2012 we began to implement building information modelling (BIM) across our in-house multi-disciplinary design and construction sections. UK standards around the adoption of BIM were not clear, Publicly Available Specification 1192 and such documents were in their developmental stages.

Our biggest investment was not the BIM technologies themselves, but the change management that had to be put into effect across the various in-house multi-design disciplines. A significant amount of time and effort went into developing our standard policies, procedures and processes, upgrades to the IT infrastructure and negotiating licencing agreements with software vendors.

The case study presentation at the IET focused on a recently completed fit-out of a newly constructed office building at Milton Park into a laboratory facility. Since completion, our client has co-located R&D operations into the new facility from various sites across the UK. The laboratory requirements were challenging, with the overall construction period spanning eight months. The facility was delivered on time and ready to accept the transfer of personnel.

The existing facility imposed numerous constraints as it was designed as an office accommodation where limitations extended to the ceiling heights, building services routeing etc. BIM allowed us to assess the practicalities of retrofitting such a space with laboratories. The process of modelling began by surveying the building and creating a record model of the base building.

As the design progressed, options for how the laboratory spaces would be laid out and adjacencies were addressed using the building model. The completed building model included architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and public health services, all of which were designed and developed by our in-house multi-discipline design team.

Nearing completion of the design stage, The Austin Company were appointed to undertake the fit-out. During the procurement process, we accessed our supply chains competence in delivering the project using BIM. BIM proved to be advantageous as it expedited the manufacturing of services on the critical path, such as the complex ductwork systems fitted within confined services zones.

The Austin Company completed the design and construction phases for the fit-out of the building with new laboratories, office spaces and ancillary areas, on time and on budget.

The event at The IET in Savoy Place focused on the procurement cycle, in particular, mechanical and electrical building services with some 50+ industry professionals. The discussion considered how we could all learn and avoid duplication of efforts, resources and achieve the best outcome. This included the sharing of our models with the supply chain and clarifying each other’s requirements and responsibilities.

]]>Beam me up Scottyhttp://austin.co.uk/news/2011/the-institution-of-engineering-and-technology/
Fri, 24 Feb 2017 09:16:24 +0000http://austin.co.uk/?p=2011“Beam me up Scotty” – The Austin Company has been invited to present at COMIT (Construction Opportunities for Mobile IT) on our supply chain experience with BIM on a recent completed project. Held in partnership with the European Construction Institute European we will be discussing a recent fit out of a newly constructed office building into a laboratory facility and how we accessed our supply chains competence in delivering the project using BIM.

Please see the flyer here for the agenda and the process of registering
The presentation is on 2nd March. Registration is free and takes place at ECI Monument, London from 9.30am to 4pm.

]]>Pre-qualified S-Lab Award 2017http://austin.co.uk/news/2001/pre-qualified-s-lab-award-2017/
Mon, 13 Feb 2017 10:21:20 +0000http://austin.co.uk/?p=2001A refurbishment of a research laboratory and clinical facility in a rural field station in The Gambia for The Medical Research Council has been shortlisted for the S-Lab award in the Best Refurbishment category. Selected from entries from around the world this is a prestigious accolade.

The award criteria recognised attention given to the three core assessment themes of Safe, Sustainable and Successful.

With temperatures ranging from 29°C to 43°C and humidity rising to 80% and 1.3 meters of rain in most of the country in the rainy season, this case study describes the considerable challenges in designing and building a 590m² research facility in Keneba. The facility needed to adhere to critical laboratory requirements relating to stable temperature, pressure, humidity, lighting and security. Furthermore the facility needed to comply with sustainability measures relating to energy and the environment and, as importantly, a design solution that recognises limited local engineering skills and suitable building materials and equipment in The Gambia.

The new laboratory and clinical facility has been a great success, impacting on the national and international researchers and the local population visiting the unit. Our experience has shaped the design of subsequent laboratory facilities in The Gambia including a new 860m² molecular biology laboratory currently in the design stage.

]]>Austin in Hertfordshire’s Top 200 Companieshttp://austin.co.uk/news/1990/austin-nominated-as-one-of-hertfordshires-top-200-companies-through-their-local-enterprise-partnership-and-grant-thorntons-instinct-for-growth/
Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:36:48 +0000http://austin.co.uk/?p=1990The Austin Company were awarded by Grant Thornton to be in this year’s Top 200 listed Company in Hertfordshire.

This award recognises the top 200 privately owned businesses in the county based on turnover.

The review by Grant Thornton gives a fascinating insight into how Hertfordshire has performed during these changing times. This provides a snapshot of the health of the county’s economy as businesses in Hertfordshire respond to the challenges that lie ahead. Collectively, these 200 businesses have had an excellent year, delivering turnover of over £15bn an increase of over 12% and EBITDA of £1.2bn, an increase of 9.6%. These mid-market entrepreneurial businesses remain the engine room of the County’s business community and this growth points to a local economy that is continuing to strengthen.